ONE 168: Aung La N Sang says he's been training with heavyweights in preparation for Shamil Erdogan
Former two-division world champion Aung La N Sang says he's been training with a room full of killers, in preparation for his next middleweight bout at ONE 168: Denver.
'The Burmese Python' is back in full gear this year to face undefeated rising star Shamil Erdogan on US ground. Seeing as he last fought in May 2023, Aung La has brought the big guns from Florida's Kill Cliff FC, to help him level up before meeting Erdogan on Sept. 6.
Speaking on his YouTube vlog this week, Aung La said:
"To become the best athlete against Shamil, I have a training partner that's going to be fighting next weekend, Mohammed, as you know, Kamaru Usman's brother. He's a heavyweight and he wants me to simulate another heavyweight in a southpaw stance. I have to simulate his opponents and I want him to be sharp, I want him to be at his best."
It's incredible to see Aung La, who's 39 years old, still competing at the highest level. Most astonishing yet, is that he's showing no signs of slowing down.
Since he lost both the middleweight and light heavyweight belts to Reinier de Ridder, the Myanmar superstar has put himself back into the running for the middleweight world title after securing three consecutive finishes. He looks for one more against Shamil, to help solidify his status as the No. 1 contender.
Tickets for ONE 168: Denver is available at Ticketmaster.
"We'll put on a great show" - Aung La N Sang is confident that a potential world title matchup against Anatoly Malykhin will draw in the US fan base and fill up the seats
One reason why Aung La N Sang continues to fight today so close to retiring is that he's got some unfinished business to handle.
As aforementioned, the MMA veteran once tasted the glory and triumphs of a double-world champion. He couldn't beat Reinier de Ridder twice and that has certainly haunted him as a professional. However, if it weren't for those trials, he wouldn't have the motivation and drive to reclaim his lost belts.
If given the chance after Shamil, Aung La N Sang is confident that a world-title fight against triple-world champion Anatoly Malykhin will be a barnburner:
"If we were to fight, there's no way that any of us would back down, and we'll put on a great show."